The BUILD program provides a supportive and comprehensive educational experience for students with intellectual disabilities. If you're starting the BUILD program at Bethel, here's what you need to know.

Know your opportunities

Because BUILD is unique in what it offers—a certificate to students with intellectual disabilities—the program has specific financial opportunities that can reduce the overall cost for families. Here are programs you, as a student in BUILD, may be eligible for:

Federal Pell Grant
Minnesota State Grant
Minnesota Intellectual Disabilities Grant (ID Grant)
BUILD Scholarships
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Medicaid Waivers
- To find out more about this source of funding, contact an adult developmental disabilities agency in your area.
Private Scholarships
Private Parent loans
Payment Plans
- Contact the Business Office if you are interested in setting up a payment plan.

Apply for aid

Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form will determine eligibility for BUILD Scholarships, Federal Pell Grant, Minnesota State Grant, and Minnesota ID Grant. The 2025-2026 FAFSA is available now. We recommend completing the FAFSA by February 1, but no later than April 15. Be sure to include Bethel University (school code #002338) on the list of schools to receive your FAFSA information.
Submit the BUILD Resources/Benefits Verification Form. This is required for all BUILD students and informs the financial aid office of benefits you expect to receive from third-party sources.

Offers

Once you submit the appropriate documents, the financial aid office—along with BUILD personnel—will review the information and prepare your personal financial aid offer. After receiving your offer letter, there will be additional steps to complete.

Initial offers are normally sent around May 1 through U.S. mail. Revised offers are sent by email directly to the student. You can also access your financial aid offer through your Financial Aid Requirements channel in MyBethel.

If you have an estimated offer, complete the verification process to get an updated offer.

After you're offered financial aid

After receiving your financial aid offer, complete the following steps:

1. Sign up for proxy

While privacy laws prohibit us from sharing financial aid offer information with your parents, spouse, or other third parties, we provide a way for you to authorize others to view such information in your student account: proxy access. Signing up for proxy gives permission for the financial aid office to communicate with parents. Routine updates are sent via email to you, and we encourage you to share these emails with parents when appropriate.

2. Finalize your third-party funding

Third-party funding can include benefits like Voc Rehab, Medicaid, Private Scholarships, etc.

Report any additional third-party scholarships or changes to Voc Rehab and Medicaid benefits to the financial aid office. This can be done by submitting a new or revised BUILD Resources/Benefits Verification Form.

3. View your estimated school bill

View your estimated bill after being offered financial aid for the school year. You can view estimated billing through the My Statements and Finances channel in MyBethel. Viewing the estimated bill will help determine if you need a payment plan, private parent loan, or a combination of the two.

4. Sign up for a payment plan and/or apply for a private parent loan

You may enroll in a monthly payment plan to help you pay month-by-month. Contact the Business Office for more information about payment plans.

Your parents may wish to borrow a Private Parent Loan on your behalf. They can review information and apply for a private loan through FASTChoice. Please note that the Advantage Parent Loan and College Ave Student Loan for Parents are the only loans currently available to parents of BUILD students. Apply by July 1.

5. Complete your enrollment checklist

View your Enrollment Checklist in MyBethel. Under the Home tab, find the section titled Enrollment Checklist. Items marked with a red X need to be completed.

Additional resources

Financial breakdown

Learn more about the costs associated with the BUILD program (pdf).

Important dates and deadlines

View our important dates and deadlines.

Special circumstances

Sometimes situations limit financial capacity. We call these special circumstances, which could include unusually high medical expenses or a job loss. Since these circumstances aren’t factored into your initial aid application, there is an appeal process to have your Federal Pell Grant and Minnesota State Grant reviewed.

Questions?

Contact the financial aid office by phone at 651-638-6241 or email finaid@bethel.edu.

Students in BUILD

Providing financial aid support to students in BUILD and their families.